Immediately, I am brainstorming places we can use the extra concrete. Maybe we could pour another slab somewhere? Tara doesn't think we should make rash decisions that we'll be stuck with, but I'm able to convince her when I remember a spot along our driveway that would be perfect for a small outbuilding. Moments later, Rick is in his excavator, headed up to level the site. We're going for it!
We have four 2'x12'x8' boards left over from the cottage form, so we'll assemble and level a square pad as quickly as we can. Meanwhile, the concrete truck has arrived and it has already poured the remainder of the workshop slab (a paltry half yard). Normally, there is a substantial charge for keeping a truck waiting, but the driver takes pity on us and is willing to sit tight for a bit.
As we scramble to get things assembled, I joke with Tara that we should install some radiant heat tubing with all the extra time! Fifteen minutes later we have the form assembled, roughly square, and reasonably level. The slab won't use all of the remaining concrete, but it will make a sizable dent.
By the time we're done, Pete and Chris are finished with the workshop slab, and they've joined us at the impromptu site of our next shed. Even though we've only had twenty minutes to ponder it's existence, Tara and I are already full of ideas for it. Bicycle and motorcycle storage comes to mind—a dedicated building for chainsaws and forestry tools sounds pretty good too.
As the extra concrete pours into the slab, our stress levels drop dramatically. The situation is improved even further when Pete offers to lower his bill to help cover the cost of the mistake. All in all, this mini-disaster is turning out pretty well. It looks like I'll even get some masonry practice in—Pete is going to show me how to use the bull float and trowels!
It's a huge relief when the last concrete truck leaves. All that's left to do now is the finishing work.
Without further ado, here is the finished slab! It's so unbelievably rewarding to see a flat piece of concrete where there was once a sea of radiant heat tubes, wire mesh, rebar, stone, foam insulation, and conduit. Next week, we'll pour a retaining wall on the side of the building set into a hill. After that, we're officially done with concrete. Hopefully for a very, very, long time.
Thanks Pete!
